Subnostr

I found an American Chestnut sapling 🥹 These are very rare! A Japanese blight killed most of these majestic trees 100+ years ago. These once dominated Appalachian forests and American culture. Sadly, most saplings never reach adulthood anymore. Some say this is one of the most devastating ecological disasters of modern times.

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AC 1y ago

You can (and should) report the finding to the PA chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.

https://patacf.org/

There is a significant amount of research and work happening at PSU regarding this species, to the point that their hybridization efforts with the Chinese chestnut are at a point where DNA testing is usually required to determine American vs hybridized chestnuts.

We ordered some trees through the Ten Million trees initiative with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation a few years ago, but just prior to delivery we were told they tested as hybrids despite advertising as American. We planted them anyway. I hope to one day plant American chestnuts on our farm for my kids, but that's still a few years away from being commercially available (last I checked).

Finding chestnuts in the wild, even hybrid, is a rare and awesome experience! Anyone interested, especially local to PA should sign up for the PA chapter newsletter to follow their work.

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Discussion

Derek Ross 1y ago

I've seen Chinese Chestnut before, there's actually a lot of them where I run, but I don't believe I've seen a hybrid before and this could be one, but due to its size and leaf characteristics, I'm fairly confident it's American.

This is a good idea! Maybe I will report it. I had a friend years ago that found a much larger one and did report it. PSU came down and tested it and did determine it was pure American, growing from an old root system!